Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has said that the changes to Tallaght post office when it moves from An Post management to a private contractor cannot lead to a disruption of services for the local community and that workers must not lose out on employment, their rights as workers or redeployment.

Teachta Crowe said:

“While it is welcome that the future of postal services may be preserved in Tallaght, the recent announcement that management of the post office from An Post to a private contractor has created uncertainty and worry locally

“It is vital that any relocation does not take the post office away from the central location it currently holds and where it is easily accessible by those who need its services. Workers must not lose out on the possibility of employment with the new postmaster, redeployment within An Post or a voluntary severance package.

“We cannot afford to have any more black spots within the postal network and while I appreciate that post offices that are run directly by An Post are a small minority of the network, this cannot mean that Tallaght and its local population does not lose out.

“Despite the crucial role post offices provide in our local communities, the network has suffered from years of neglect by successive governments, with hundreds of closures and the loss of vital outlets right across the state.

“A Public Service Obligation must be introduced to secure the future of the network and allow post offices to continue to provide excellent services.

“Post offices provide a crucial service in both rural and urban areas and Sinn Féin have been advocating for a PSO to secure the future of the network for over a decade now. This needs to happen sooner rather than later and end the uncertainty facing loyal staff and customers.”